Patents by Inventor Kellen B. Hill
Kellen B. Hill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20260047523Abstract: A crop conditioning system for an agricultural vehicle includes a crop conditioning arrangement having a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted to the frame, a second roller movably and rotatably mounted to the frame. A space between the first roller and second roller defines a gap for receiving crop material. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the second roller and biases the second roller toward the first roller. A first sensor is configured to detect the gap. A controller receives input data from the first sensor and outputs control signals to control the crop conditioning arrangement. The controller includes a processor configured to determine a status of the crop conditioning arrangement based on the input data. The determined status is indicative of a level of crop conditioning. The processor generates adjustment data indicative of an adjustment to the second roller in response to the determined status.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2024Publication date: February 19, 2026Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Nathan A. Chaney, Kellen B. Hill
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Publication number: 20250040481Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for leveling a rotary cutter that includes a center cutting portion, a first cutting wing pivotally coupled to the center cutting portion, a second cutting wing pivotally coupled to the center cutting portion, and an actuator system having a center leveling sub-system, a first wing leveling sub-system, and a second wing leveling sub-system. The actuator system is configured to synchronously adjust the height of the center cutting portion, the first cutting wing, and the second cutting wing. The first wing leveling sub-system is configured to adjust the height of the first cutting wing independent from the center cutting portion and the second cutting wing, and the second wing leveling sub-system is configured to adjust the height of the second cutting wing independent from the center cutting portion and the first cutting wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Kellen B. HILL, Cesar A. RAMIREZ TREVINO, Zachary R. SOPHER, Scott T. BARROW
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Publication number: 20250040479Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a locking system for a rotary cutter comprising a cutting deck comprising a center portion, a first wing, a second wing, a center deck support system pivotably engaged with the cutting deck, a mount, an actuator, and a bracket stop. The deck support system comprises a bracket and a wheel system operably engaged with a surface beneath the cutting deck. The mount is fixedly engaged to the center portion and comprises a guide. The actuator comprises a distal end slidably engaged with the guide, and a proximal end engaged with the bracket. The bracket stop limits the travel of the deck support system past a predetermined position and allows the distal end of the actuator to move to a shipping set point at the end of the guide whereby putting the first wing and the second wing in position for transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Kellen B. Hill, José Martín Domínguez Sánchez
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Patent number: 12201064Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling formation of a windrow in response to a single control input. The single control input represents a desired windrow width. The single control input is used to determine positions of components of a cutter implement, such as side shields and a swath flap, that are used to form a windrow having the desired windrow width represented or that is otherwise associated with the single control input.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Kellen B. Hill, Mitchell R. Usasz, Eric M. Thies
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Publication number: 20220386533Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling formation of a windrow in response to a single control input are disclosed. The single control input represents a desired windrow width. The single control input is used to determine positions of components of a cutter implement, such as side shields and a swath flap, that are used to form a windrow having the desired windrow width represented or that is otherwise associated with the single control input.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Kellen B. Hill, Mitchell R. Usasz, Eric M. Thies
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Patent number: 11256999Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Stephen K. Parsons, Joshua D. Graeve, David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill
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Patent number: 10806078Abstract: A harvesting work vehicle includes a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material. A method of operating the work vehicle includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored conditioning setting for a variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a conditioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored conditioning setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement according to the conditioning control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: David V. Rotole, Ethan C. Conrad, Mitchell R. Usasz, Kellen B. Hill
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Patent number: 10477774Abstract: A mower-conditioner assembly of a self-propelled windrower includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame for cutting crop, a conditioner rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and a fluffer assembly rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the conditioner. The fluffer assembly includes at least an elongated roll and a crop moving element. The conditioner crimps the crop after it is cut, and the fluffer assembly fluffs or moves the crop during operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Kellen B. Hill, David V. Rotole, Thomas A. Nichols
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Patent number: 10356980Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill, Joshua D. Graeve, Roger D. Stephenson, Stephen K. Parsons
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Publication number: 20180325031Abstract: A harvesting work vehicle includes a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material. A method of operating the work vehicle includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored conditioning setting for a variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a conditioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored conditioning setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement according to the conditioning control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: David V. Rotole, Ethan C. Conrad, Mitchell R. Usasz, Kellen B. Hill
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Publication number: 20180325032Abstract: A work vehicle system includes at least one harvesting work vehicle with a harvesting arrangement. The harvesting arrangement is one of a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material and a windrowing arrangement configured to form a windrow of the crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored setting for a variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a control signal based, at least in part, on the stored setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement according to the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: David V. Rotole, Ethan C. Conrad, Kellen B. Hill, Mitchell R. Usasz
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Publication number: 20180121821Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Stephen K. Parsons, Joshua D. Graeve, David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill
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Publication number: 20180116115Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill, Joshua D. Graeve, Roger D. Stephenson, Stephen K. Parsons
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Publication number: 20180116122Abstract: A mower-conditioner assembly of a self-propelled windrower includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame for cutting crop, a conditioner rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and a fluffer assembly rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the conditioner. The fluffer assembly includes at least an elongated roll and a crop moving element. The conditioner crimps the crop after it is cut, and the fluffer assembly fluffs or moves the crop during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Kellen B. Hill, David V. Rotole, Thomas A. Nichols